As The Enquirer continues to preview the 2026 high school soccer season, the focus this week turns to midfielders.
Midfielders can do many things on the soccer pitch. Some focus on defense and ball control. Others run the offense and make big plays to score goals. Some can do it all.
Sometimes, defining who is a midfielder can be blurry and confusing. Many teams list star players as both a midfielder and forward on their roster. Because high school soccer allows unlimited substitutions, some stars play different spots on the field depending on who else is out there at a given moment.
For this list, we focused on playmakers with a lot of assists and versatile players listed as midfielders. Next week’s list will focus on forwards who are best at finding the back of the net.
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Allyson Canham, Mason
The senior helped the Comets to a 13-4-2 record and the Greater Miami Conference. She had seven goals and a team-high 10 assists, and was an all-district honoree.
Alyssa Dewey, Mariemont
The senior had 14 goals and 20 assists, helping the Warriors to a 16-4 record. She was all-district and first-team All-Cincinnati Hills League.
Nohea Harper, Sycamore
The junior is ranked second in Ohio in the Class of 2028. She had six goals and one assist and is the midfield general for the Aviators, and was first-team All-Greater Miami Conference.
Josie Hyden, Cincinnati Country Day
The senior does a little bit of everything, playing defense and scoring 10 goals with five assists on offense. She was all-region and all-state last season, and is committed to Valparaiso.
Cameron Lorentz, Summit Country Day
The senior was a versatile player for the Division IV state champions, posting nine goals and four assists. She was all-district and first-team all-league. She has committed to Georgetown University.
Macy Mueller, Madeira
The senior midfielder was a big part of the team’s Division V state championship in 2025, helping the team post 16 shutouts while contributing two goals and five assists on offense. She was an all-state and all-region selection last year.
Reagan Nieman, Badin
The senior helped the Rams finish as Division III state runner-up with a 15-4-5 record, scoring five goals with three assists. She was an all-district honoree.
Abigayle Penote, Summit Country Day
The senior has committed to the University of Cincinnati. She helped Summit win the DIV state title last year, scoring 10 goals with six assists as part of an attack with five players in double figures in goals. She was an all-district selection.
Lauren Vaughn, Seton
The senior had a team-high 10 goals with six assists, helping the Saints win the Girls Greater Catholic League with a 13-3-6 record, and helping them be Division I state runner-up. She was an all-state honoree.
Other midfielders to watch in 2026
Peyton Aichele, East Central; Ariana Bailey, Purcell Marian; Annie Ball, Monroe; Zoe Bess, Purcell Marian; Darcy Bittlinger, Lakota West; Kennedi Cooper, Middletown; Macy Cooper, Georgetown; Caroline Davis, Ross; Mary Eagleston, Wyoming; Emma Gibson, Summit Country Day; Elly Goins, Little Miami; Priscilla Martinez, Monroe; Bella McFarland, Badin; Ava Merkel, Lawrenceburg; Camilla Parr, Indian Hill; Ella Reed, Western Brown; Madelyn Rockey, Milford; Eden Sibilia, Deer Park; Abby Snell, CHCA; Julia Stegman, Notre Dame; Ava Whitt, Springboro.
Vote for the top midfielders in Cincinnati girls soccer’s preseason
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Vote for the top midfielders in high school girls soccer
Reporting by James Weber, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By James Weber, Cincinnati Enquirer | USA TODAY Network
